A baby story...

I wanted to write down the details of Andrew's birth while fresh in my mind. This may be too much info for some people. just skip down or wait for me next post (the announcement). So after 40+ weeks of waiting, we decided to schedule an induction for July 27th. The good news about an induction is that I was assured my doctor would be delivering and we could make plans for who would watch the other 2 boys. So at 5 am we get up and call the hospital. They tell us to be there by 6:15. On the drive there, we are still discussing names. We had talked off and on about Andrew. I went to turn on some music and it was one of my favorite Andrew Peterson CD's and I got excited to think that was a confirmation. When we got to the hospital, they sent us to a waiting room because they needed more nurses. The fun part was, our friends the Milnes were already in the waiting room. They were waiting on the arrival of their first grandson. Meg had been laboring (2 1/2 weeks early) since 11 pm or so. So our babies were born on the same day.

I got into a room around 7 and given the IV, etc. We had to wait on doctor to get pitocin, so we just hung out for a while. Finally at 9 am the Dr came in. She broke my bag of water and then at 10 am they started pitocin. It was a super busy morning on the labor/delivery floor so my nurse was going back and forth between another patient and me. I think that is why it took an hour for them to start the pitocin. Everyone kept telling me that since this was my 3rd baby and I was already 4 cms dilated that I should not wait too long for the epidural. Honestly once the pitocin started it only took a few contractions and I was ready for the epidural. By the time they gave me the epidural, my contractions were so intense I was about in tears.
I got the epidural around 11-12. It is an amazing drug. After that it all seemed to go very fast.

The nurses checked me and I was 7 cm and a few minutes later I was 9. Everything was going fast and smooth. I thought, we are having a baby before lunch! Woo-hoo! Can't wait to eat-ha! Then it was time to push. It only took a few pushes with Evan, so we all expected this little guy to just "fall out". NOT THE CASE. His heart rate was dropping with every contraction. That meant he was under some distress. It could be the cord wrapped around him, etc. Also, instead of being head down, he was facing sideways. The doctor tried to turn, tried to use the "vacuum" to help pull him and after me pushing for over an hour. This boy was not coming out!

So then the doctor said, we can keep pushing, but I am afraid he may get stuck (shoulder coming out first) or I may tear really bad. The biggest problem was his heart rate. So she gave us the option to keep trying but felt like we were going to have to resort to a c-section to get him out. So we tried and prayed and I pushed with all my might one last time and decided that we needed to get him out. Through lots of tears (from fear and exhaustion) they got me ready for the c-section.

C-section was quick and easy and in just a short time I heard the most beautiful sound. WHAA WHAA WAHH! Oh the joy of that first cry and loud, working, breathing lungs. Thank you Jesus. 2:38 pm, Andrew McClain was born! 7 lbs 12 ozs. Wow, that is a big baby for me! (My other boys we 6lbs 5 oz and 6lbs 8ozs). I only got to see him a minute or so and then he was taken away with his daddy to go get cleaned up. The next 30 minutes or so, the doctors sewed me up and without knowing it, they gave me some awesome medicine that just made me relax. So I think I slept a little while. Then I had to go to recovery for about an hour.

On a side note, these nurses, the surgery team and my doctor were all amazing. Encouraging, kind and great at doing their jobs. It made everything so peaceful and run smoothly. Finally the brought my little guy back. We still had not officially named him. So Wes and I confirmed Andrew! He nursed right away and did a great job. I was in a lot of pain recovering, but holding him made me forget all of that!

Even though this was my shortest labor, it was the hardest, most emotional day. I am so thankful God took care of me and my little man and that he got here safe no matter how it had to happen.

I have heard many friends say how great a c-section is. It really was quick and easy, but no one told me about the recovery. I mean it is a major surgery and wow, tough! I understand why they keep you an extra day in the hospital. The hardest part for me is not being about to pick up the baby as easily and get up and down out of bed.

It is now 3am and I am wide awake in bed feeling so much better. They had me shower and walk 3 times today. I can not believe I have done it. I do feel a million times better tonight than I did this morning. I also learned quickly to stay on top of my pain meds. Even if I don't think I need it, I am taking it regularly. This afternoon I let my pain catch up with me and that was rough.

Baby Andrew is doing wonderfully well! He eats often and does great eating! I think the fact he was almost 8 pounds makes him a hungry little guy. I do love him, just as much as my other boys. I will write a little more when I do the baby announcement.

Thanks to all who prayed, emailed, texted, visited and prayed some more. Your love and support was needed and appreciated!

Here are a few pics of our day: